Based in Rutland but working UK wide

A normal kind of May

For this week’s article we thought it would be interesting to look back on some images from May in previous years.

This is normally a time for lots of fetes, and not surprisingly they feature strongly in our archive.

We have chosen just a few that we feel capture the spirit of May, and are something we can all look forward to enjoying again, when we are free to meet and mingle like before. We could fill pages and pages but lets take a quick look…….

Exton Fete dog show May

Above are the proud winners of a previous dog show at Exton Fete – a brilliant event that really brings the community spirit of Exton to the fore.

May Queen and attendants – Braunston in Rutland

May brings the annual event at Braunston in Rutland – known originally in the 1990’s as “The Happening” – this reinstated some of the historic events including maypole dancing, fun and games, and as pictured above the presentation of the May Queen with her attendants.

Opening of Bourne Outdoor Swing Pool

Each year brings the opening of the outdoor swimming pool on Abbey Lawns in Bourne. This is a fantastic achievement by the community who raise funds and maintain this amazing facility that is used not just by locals. The last time we visited to photograph a hot summer our commissioned photographer was greeted by his neighbours from Oakham!

Truly a brilliant facility for the community – and an exceptional example of community spirit to keep this pool open – unlike so many other outdoor pools.

Little Bytham Fun Run

Another example of community spirit, this was the first time we had been commissioned to photograph the Little Bytham Fun Run. Skillfully managed this course can be both fun and challenging in equal measure, and is a great fund-raiser. Well played to this small but close-knit community bringing this event forward.

fun and games

Fun and games at the Game Fair at Burghley House – it really is a fun day for all the family at this annual event in May and we can’t wait for it to return so we can mingle with the excited crowds and capture the feeling of the day

May 2004 winners

May 2004

Maypole dancing Stamford May 2004

Stamford Mayor 2004

Potential clients often ask about our length of experience as press photographers – here are some straightforward examples which are also from May – but this time May 2004 – we have been around for some time! Here you can see maypole dancing and May Queen in Stamford, some motorsport and some happy prizewinners at another fete.

Easton Fete ices

We could go on forever but lets end this look back at a normal kind of May with a traditional scene from a fete – this time at Easton on the Hill. Something tells us that we are all waiting for the chance to get back to normal and share some ices at a village fete. It is perhaps now more than ever that we appreciate the simpler things in life.

Don’t forget the other emergency services

For this week’s editorial I wanted to reflect on the other emergency services that seem to get so little press, but which provide such a vital service.

I am talking here about the emergency services embedded within our armed forces.

Normally when I have mentioned this the response is “Oh yes! You mean the military police.” This is probably because of the nature of their work – they are quite often to be seen out and about “off base” in their vehicles, particularly at garrison towns or near Navy and RAF bases.

They do a wonderful job of course – as does also the medical services within the armed forces- but my photojournalism has tended to be more about the RAF Fire Service.

Photojournalist, RAF Fire Service, Press PR photography

Now despite 30 years working for the local press, I have to say that neither I nor any of my colleagues classmates ourselves as “ambulance chasers”. For that reason what you see here are training exercises at RAF Wittering just over the border from Rutland.

Photojournalist, RAF Fire Service, Press PR photography RAF Wittering

I have to say that this particular exercise was (from my lay person view) extremely realistic – and I was overwhelmed by the professionalism of the young people involved in the Fire and Rescue rehearsal.

As we rightly laud the efforts of our civilian emergency services, and of the Armed Forces, let’s remember that there is yet another class of hero – those who work in the emergency services with the Armed Forces.

What is a couple to do?

Sitting here towards the end of April I might expect to have around 6 weddings to photograph in the coming 8 weeks.

Instead – I find that all my couples have now changed their dates – and these have been re-arranged for between November 2020 and May 2021. I applaud the positive decisions these couples have made – and more to the point I am delighted that all their venues and suppliers have been so accommodating.

So what about those couples who have not yet made up their minds? Well I certainly won’t be offering definitive advice (therein lies a law-suit!) but maybe some pointers:

If you have wedding insurance check with them before making any changes or cancellations.

Venues and suppliers are MOSTLY being very helpful – but a cancellation may mean a lost deposit or worse – generally you are better to rebook assuming that we will have our restrictions lifted by your revised date.

Check first with your “one-a-day only” suppliers when setting any new date. There are many suppliers who can cover several weddings in one day – florists spring to mind. However your venue (or at least your particular part of it) and your photographer, and your entertainment are unlikely to be so flexible.

Don’t necessary be afraid of weekdays or out-of-season dates. These can have significant cost savings.

Don’t be afraid of winter weddings

We can’t always promise that a family will be walking by with a sledge at your wedding – or that they will let the bride use it! However there will be plenty of scope for photography at any time of year – it might just be a bit different.

One word of caution – in winter more than ever you will need to hire a professional photographer with the experience to deal with the unexpected.